Kano State Governor Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has charged the All Farmers Association Of Nigeria (AFAN) to redouble their efforts towards boosting economic development for national progress.
Represented by his Deputy Dr.Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the Governor made the statement on Friday while declaring open the General Assembly Of Farmers organised by the All Farmers Association Of Nigeria at the Government House,Kano.
He called on the farmers to ensure that voice of AFAN is all over the country particularly through their programmes aimed at improving agricultural activities.
“The General Assembly Of Farmers should be seen as an avenue for contributing to the nation building and should commensurate with the size of the membership strength of AFAN,as the farmers in this country constitutes at least 70% of the population Ganduje said”.
According to Hassan Musa Fagge, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, he further assured that Kano State Government will continue to partner with farmers in promotion of agricultural activities especially irrigation farming, adding that his administration has even introduced new technologies and ideas to prevent losses in the farming sector.
On his part, the Minister Of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono explained that his ministry has so far registered about 5.7 million farmers across the country all in an effort to bring closer the farmers to the government.
While commending AFAN for organising the General Assembly Of Farmers,the Minister then urged the National leadership of the association to carry all their members along and however called on them to be more organised and stand on their feets.
In his remarks, the Caretaker President of the All Farmers Association Of Nigeria, Alhaji Faruk Rabi’u Mudi said they have embarked on reorganisation of AFAN from the grassroot to the National level as well as integration of the Commodity Associations into the structure.
He added that his leadership has distributed farm inputs worth over N100 million to farmers through the Federal Ministry Agriculture and Rural Development, and has also acquired office accommodation at the central business district of Abuja including entering into partnership with a Chinese firm to invest in rice,soya beans and maize production.
Other highlights of the occasion include the presentation of awards to President Muhammad Buhari,Kano State Governor and his Deputy,Minister Of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chairman Of the Board of Trustees Of AFAN.